The #13 (1A) Clarksville softball team will look to qualify for its second straight state tournament when it travels to #7 (1A) Southeast Warren for the 1A Region 5 final Monday. It’ll be a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal, won 7-1 by the Indians.
Clarksville (21-9) defeated Janesville and BCLUW in the first two rounds. In Friday’s win over the Comets, the Indians used a four-run fourth inning to erase a 3-1 deficit. Head Coach Katie Burman says pitcher Sydney Lovrien has been a key factor, having compiled 15 strikeouts and one walk in the playoffs.
“She’s only a sophomore, so I’m really proud of her for doing that,” Burman says. “And I do think she’s going to have some jitters because it is her first time. And that’s totally okay because I think the rest of the team will have her back when that happens. But yeah, she’s been pitching great. I think BCLUW, she had a few pitches that weren’t the best, but she made up for it with some really great defensive plays. I think she had like two double plays, but yeah, really, really proud of her. And I think that she’ll come pretty focused.”
Southeast Warren (22-2) finished second in the Pride of Iowa Conference, behind reigning Class 1A runner-up Martensdale-St Marys. They’ve won 10 straight, including wins over North Mahaska and Murray in the playoffs. The pitching staff, led by senior Kaylyn Holmes has given up less than a run per game to opponents and has a similarly productive offense as the Indians. Burman says just like Clarksville, the Warhawks have been tested with a strong schedule.
“They’re really hard to scout since they’re about three hours away. I don’t know many of the teams they played. I’ve been kind of looking unbound, but I do think that they are a very good team. They’ve only lost twice this year and they don’t give up many runs in any of the games that they’ve played. And they beat Martensdale-St. Marys at the beginning of the season. So they are definitely nobody to take lightly. I think they’re just a very quick team. I think they’ll be tough. They’ll come ready to play.”
It’ll be Clarksville’s eighth consecutive regional final appearance. A win would send the program to its seventh state tournament in program history.
The game will air on 99 The Wave with coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m., followed by the first pitch at 7:00.
Pregame interview with Katie Burman:
